Over the weekend, I ran across some other pictures of myself before I started eating better and working out. I was SHOCKED at how bloated and pumpkin-like my face was. It’s unbelievable that I let myself go as much as I had. I still have a lot to lose, but sweet, merciful Christ I look a lot better than I did even three months ago.
Granted, I’ve only been doing this for about two months, but I think my mindset is right for this to be a lifelong change in my habits. I’ve never stuck with any other scheme this long, the next longest lasted about a month. I’m on the “poor man’s” version of Weight Watchers, which basically means that I’m following their program without paying them any more money.
I went to three meetings and realized that I was paying them $12 a week just to weigh me. They had given me the most valuable part of the program on day 1, the point system and how it works. The rest is just a bunch of superfluous shit designed to motivate the plebeians into sticking with the program. I can honestly say that their program works great, but the weekly hurrah sessions were not for me.
Making smart choices with what you eat and controlling the portion sizes (duh!), is the most important aspect, but I think the key is being diligent (in my case, militant) with what you are doing.
Just as a comparison, here’s a sample of how I used to eat, compared to how I normally eat now (caveat: I’m using a day that I didn’t use any of my “extra” points):
Typical Daily Eating in 2004 (fairly typical, but the B&J was a couple of times a week). The number is parenthesis is the WW Point Value of each:
Breakfast:
Sausage McGriddle w/ Egg (14)
Hash Browns (3)
XL Coke (6)
Lunch:
Bacon Ultimate Cheesburger (28)
XL Fries (12)
XL Coke (6)
Snacks:
3 20oz Cherry Cokes (16)
King-Sized Snickers (10)
Dinner
2 Pieces Garlic Toast (8)
Large Portion of Lasagna (16)
Late Night Snack:
1 pint Ben & Jerry’s Nutty Waffle Cone (31)
Total Points for the Day: 150
Daily Log from Saturday, July 9:
Breakfast:
2 Nutrigrain Waffles (3)
1 TB Maple Syrup (1)
1oz Turkey (1)
Lunch:
4oz Oven Cooked Potatoes (4)
1oz 2% Cheddar Cheese (2)
Snacks:
Banana (2)
3-4 Diet Cokes (mmm, Coke Zero!) (0)
Dinner
Veggie Burger (2)
High Fiber Bread (1)
Mayo/Sweet Pickles (1)
2oz Oven Potatoes (2)
No Fat/Sugar Free Pudding (1)
1 TB Low Fat Cool-Whip (0)
6 Vanilla Wafers (3)
Late Night Snack:
2 Sugar Free Banana Pop (1)
Total Points: 24
Basically, 1 point equals 50 calories. So, I’ve gone from about 7500 calories a day (yikes, I never realized how much it was until now—I had thought maybe 4000 or 4500 at most) to about 1200 a day (but Saturday was pretty low…usually I use about 30-35 points, or 1500-1750 calories). Fat Grams were over 270 on an average day back last year. I’m fucking shocked that I’m still alive. BTW, I did no exercise at all, either. No wonder my BP was so frickin high!
If you want to be truly and deeply frightened by the fucking crap we put into our bodies by eating fast food, hit the restaurant’s website before you go and check out the nutritional value sheet. It is very shocking at how easy it is to eat yourself to death in today’s environment.
I still eat a fast food burger every now and then, but I throttle back what I eat the rest of the day, or week if I get fries :) . The difference between a regular cheeseburger (7-10 points) and the big daddy cheeseburger (28) is huge. They both taste the same, you’re just leaving out a ton of fat and unnecessary calories. You'll also realize that the "healthy" choices they give you (like the salads or McDonald's new Fruit Salad) are just as bad as the other stuff on the menu. In my opinion, Wendy's has the best selection if you're looking for healthier stuff. I'll usually split a Jr. Cheeseburger with Chloe, get a small chili, and a baked potato. It's filling, and relatively healthy. The big bonus at my local Wendy's is that everyone is fluent in English, something that's hit or miss at Micky D's here.